The Liberated Centrist

Many would agree that consistent access to the internet is an important part of life in 2018. It is crucial to participate and thrive in the global economy. We should do all we can to empower broader access to this “great equalizer,” especially because there are those who aim to slow the march of progress. This summer, agency officials from several states, as well as companies like Alphabet (owner of Google), Facebook, and Amazon filed suit against the FCC, demanding reinstatement of the regulations known as “net neutrality.” “Net neutrality” is not merely how its supporters explain it: the regulation of large internet service providers (ISPs) to treat all types of data traveling through their lines as equal and prohibit paid “fast lanes” for internet access.  It’s effects are more far-reaching than that. It means treating the transmission of internet as a public utility under Title II of the Federal Communications Act of 1934.  Before, and since the FCC repealed...

Recently, the Housing Committee of Portland’s City Council met to discuss the possibility of tightening the regulations surrounding rental agreements in the city that last fewer than 30 days. Referred to as “short-term rentals” (STRs), some might recognize this service as similar to one offered by AirBnB, an internet company that connects homeowners with vacationers looking for a place to stay for a duration of one night to one month. Proponents of stricter rules claim that more housing stock devoted to short-term rentals in the city means fewer options for long-term tenants, raising rents and squeezing out lower-income folks. Self-proclaimed “Democratic Socialist” Joey Brunelle is running for an at-large seat on the council currently held by Nicholas Mavodones. He wants the city to implement a “One Person, One Listing” policy like that of San Francisco where residents cannot register more than one unit in their primary residence and cannot rent it for more than 90 days per year....